Bull Story

[Guest guest]

Feel free to circulate.....

 

 

Hinduism in the UK is getting a lot of press coverage in the last few days, but we are sorry to note that it is for wrong reasons. Let us examine the latest 'bull' story that is doing the rounds at the moment.Since ancient times Hinduism has recognised that reverence for life cannot be confined to the human kingdom, respect for life should be extended to take in to account the animal kingdom. This is clearly visible when we look at some of the Hindu deities, they are usually accompanied by an animal or a bird thus encouraging the idea of reverence for animal life.Some Hindu temples, keep cows and bulls or other animals which are well cared for in the holy surroundings of the temple. This is an endearing practice of this religion. Let us now examine the issue of a bull in one Hindu temple tested positive to bTB skin test. This is an infectious disease which can be transmitted to other animals or even passed on to human beings. There are strict rules in this country to ensure that when such diseases are suspected the local authority can take immediate measures to limit its spread. If the animal is special then the temple and the local authority should explore all possible avenues to resolve the issue. For example can the animal be quarantined and be allowed to live its natural life? Or be treated in isolation? If so who would supervise the process? Does the local authority have the resources or ability to offer such flexibility taking into account thesentimental value Hindus attach to this animal. Even in quarantine there will be the question of welfare if the said animal becomes critically ill at a later date. There is another long term concern. What happens if the disease somehow manages to spreads to other animals in nearby Welsh farms? Who will take responsible? The temple, the Hindus, or the local authority?If there is even the slightest risk of the disease spreading to other animals or even humans, then the way forward would be to put down the animal. Life of the bull is sacred but so is the life of other livestock or humans who may (even accidentally) come in contact with this bull. Hindu religion places great deal of emphasis on the importance of using our rational faculties when deciding on religious issues. If we let our emotive faculties get out of hand and override our rational analysis of the issue, we lose credibility. We don't onlylose credibility with the establishment, we also lose credibility with our own thinking youth who are puzzled at the manner in which this issue has been blown out of all proportion. The establishment too will be puzzled to see Hindus over-reacting on a simple issue of curtailing the spread of bovine disease. They will be thinking what were the Hindus doing when the BSE struck, when millions of cows were being slaughtered? When Hindus go out on a limb to enforce some kind of Hindu agenda on the establishment, one wonders what are they actually trying to achieve? The media too will have a field day presenting Hinduism as the butt of a bull... story.Hinduism hardly gets any press coverage; the little coverage it gets is almost always anti-Hindu (as with the last dispatches programme on channel 4). Hindus are not helping their situation when they pursue themes like the bull story with such fervour. It demolishes their credibility and any opportunity they may have to explore more serious matters concerning Hindus in the UK.jay lakhaniVivekananda Centre London

 

[Guest guest]

Jayji, brilliantly put. I am copying this to Anil Bhanot at the Hindu

Council, who has just spoken to the media on the issue this morning. As I

have said to Anil, we should resist any attempts to be labeled as

primitivists by the media and respond with reason and intelligence. We value

sanctity of all life and have the capacity to respond with compassion. We

have feelings but respond with reason. In the words of T.S. Eliot, let out

thoughts ooze throgh the pores of our feelings. But let us not lose our

heads.

 

Jai Ma!

[Guest guest]

Dear Jay,

After reading the article in the main page of BBC's web site under

South Asia, I had exactly the same thoughts. Even though the temple

authorities quarantine the bull, who would take responsibility if the

disease expands to other life stock or even humans? You're right in

saying that Hindus should concentrate on more important things of

implementing the grand ideas of their religion and to pursue reason

over emotion.

 

In the name of Thakur,

Prasad

[Guest guest]

jay:

 

Nice commentary to the media -- thank you for bringing a rational voice to this public issue. Most importantly, let us pray that Ramakrishna may use this event to advance His goals (which I hope include Vedanta and religious pluralism).

 

 

Brad